Monday, August 5, 2013Jimmy Haslam told the NFL his father will take over the Browns if he steps downBut sports commentator Terry Pluto says any family member could take the teamStory by LYNDSEY SCHLEY

If Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has to give up the team, it will probably go to a family member, WKSU commentator Terry Pluto says.

“They’ve wanted to own an NFL team for a long time, and even with Jimmy facing all these significant legal problems, the family wants to keep the team because virtually every NFL team is a money-maker," Pluto says. "It’s not a money-loser. So, you can lose a ton of games in the NFL and still make money.”"

Pluto notes this would not be the first time an owner has passed a team to family members when he had to step down. Youngstown-native Edward DeBartolo Jr.gave control of the San Francisco 49ers to his sister after he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges in 2000.